videos

There have been 14 Sharpe films made so far. Many of the titles correspond to those of the books, although the story lines do not always follow the same chronological order as the books. As with the books, each can be viewed independently or as part of the series and it isn't necessary to know the entire history of Sharpe to enjoy each one.
The films were shot mainly in the Crimea and Turkey, but also in Spain and Portugal as well as England.
Only two actors have played more than one role in the Sharpe series, Julian Fellowes who played Maj. Dunnett and the Prince Regent (Prinny) and Tony Haygarth who played Marshal 'Pot au Feu' and Sir Willoughby Parfitt.
John Tams and Daragh O'Malley both assisted on some of the scripts and John Tams also collaborated on the music with Dominic Muldowney.

I'm sure there are many more anecdotes and information that can be added, and in due course it will be!

rifles

Portugal 1809

Richard Sharpe, a sergeant with the second Battalion of the 95th Rifles, saves Sir Arthur Wellesley's life when he is attacked. Sharpe is rewarded with a field commission, making him a lieutenant. He is sent to join major Dunnett, who, with his company, is looking for an agent last seen in Casa Antiga. Dunnett dislikes Sharpe because he has been raised from the ranks and the men he is given distrust him for the same reason. This film also has Sharpe's first encounter with Commandante Teresa and Major Don Blas Vivar, who are on their way to Torrecastro, and watch in the hills when Maj. Dunnett's company is attacked. All except Sharpe and a small band of Chosen Men are killed. Sharpe continues with the mission he has been given. Teresa and Blas Vivar agree to go with Sharpe to Casa Antiga if Sharpe will accompany them on to Torrecastro afterwards. When they find Casa Antiga, it has been attacked by the French under Colonel de l'Eclin. Left behind are a Methodist couple, Mr. and Mrs. Parker and their daughter Louisa. The family are taken into Sharpe's protection. When Sharpe discovers he is escorting an ancient flag, he doesn't wish to continue to Torrecastro, but Vivar's request is reinforced by the appearance of Maj. Hogan, Wellington's 'exploring officer'. Sharpe is told to hold the town while the gonfalon of St. James is flown to inspire the Spanish to rise up against the French.

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eagle

Spain 1809

Sir Arthur Wellesley takes the army into Spain. In camp, Sharpe and Harper watch the arrival of a new regiment - the South Essex. At its head is Col. Sir Henry Simmerson, accompanied by Simmerson's nephew Lt. Gibbons, Lt. Berry, Maj. Lennox (a veteran of the Indian Campaign), Capt. Leroy (a loyalist American) and Countess Josefina who is under the 'protection' of Lt. Gibbons.

Wellesley is unimpressed by Simmerson and his regiment, but, as Simmerson is a political animal, he arranges a 'small victory' for him - blowing the bridge at Valdelacasa - and Sharpe is to assist.

While at the bridge, Simmerson sees a French patrol and panics and orders Lennox to chase them off. A French cavalry appears as the new soldiers cross the bridge, they panic and are cut to pieces by the cavalry. Sharpe and the Chosen Men run to help the stricken unit. In his panic, Simmerson orders the bridge to be blown, leaving Sharpe and some of the South Essex stranded. The French make off with the Colours, watched by Sharpe and the dying Lennox.

Wellesley breaks up what is left of the South Essex and gives command of the Light Company to the newly promoted Capt. Sharpe. Simmerson is outraged and threatens to use his influence in London to have Sharpe stripped of his rank. The only thing Sharpe can do to retain his rank is perform an act of outstanding valour - such as capturing a French Eagle at the forthcoming battle of Talavera.

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company

Spain 1812

After the siege of Cuidad Rodrigo, Wellington plans to lay siege to Badajoz. Meanwhile, Teresa tells Sharpe he is now a father. Their daughter, Antonia, is in Badajoz.

A new draft arrives from England with Col. Windham and Capt. Rymer. In charge of the men is Sgt. Hakeswill, a malicious figure from Sharpe's past. Hakeswill becomes obsessed with Teresa and plans to use her to get back at Sharpe.

Sharpe is told that the regiment no longer needs him as a captain, but he chooses to stay on as lieutenant and is made Quartermaster. In a bid for promotion he requests permission to lead the Forlorn Hope when the breach at Badajoz is stormed, but he is refused.

Sharpe is given the task of guiding Capt. Rymer and the Forlorn Hope to the breach. He watches as they are repulsed leaving many, including Rymer, dead. Against his previous orders, Sharpe takes his Chosen Men to the breach and leads the storming. They are successful. Sharpe frantically looks for Teresa, but Hakeswill gets there first intending to rape her. After a fight, Hakeswill is injured and flees. Sharpe has reason to be happy, he holds his daughter for the first time and is given command of the Light Company again, together with his captaincy.

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enemy

Portugal 1813

French, Portuguese and British deserters have banded together and taken over the village of Adrados. They are led by 'Marshal Pot au Feu' and Obadiah Hakeswill, and they have two English women as hostages. Sarah Dubreton is the wife of a French officer and Lady Isabella Farthingdale, the Portuguese wife of Sir Augustus Farthingdale.
In Wellington's camp, Sharpe is putting Lt. Gilliland and his rocketeers through their paces. Sir Augustus Farthingdale arrives with the ransom for his wife and is appalled at the idea of Sharpe, raised from the ranks, taking it.
Teresa escorts Sharpe and Harper part of the way to Adrados. When they get to the village, they see two Frenchmen and assume they are deserters. They soon realise it is Sarah Dubreton's husband and his sergeant.
The four men finally get to see the hostages, but Hakeswill has increased the ransom. Dubreton tells Sharpe that Maj. Ducos, Napoleons spy master, has forbidden any extra payment as Sarah is English. Sharpe decides to mount a rescue.
The rescue is successful, but Hakeswill escapes to wreak his revenge on Teresa. He is captured by Dubreton and handed over to the British to face justice.

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honour

Spain 1813

Aided by Ducos, Napoleon is considering a plan. All it will take is one death and one imprisonment and Britain will leave Spain. The Spanish nobility, generals and church will have to be in agreement and bring pressure on the deposed King of Spain to sign a treaty with France.
In a French garrison in Spain, Ducos has impounded the carriages of La Marquesa Helene Mendora. La Marquesa is half-English, half-French and married to a Spanish General. She is also a French spy. Ducos promises the return of her carriages if she writes to her husband saying Richard Sharpe has forced his attentions on her.
When the Marques receives the letter he is furious and demands an apology or a duel. Sharpe refuses to apologise as he says he doesn't know the Marquesa, and the duel is arranged.
Duels are forbidden in Wellingtons army and when discovered, it is passed off as 'sword practice'. The same night the Marques is murdered in his bed, and the Spanish, believing Sharpe is responsible, demand retribution. Wellington has no choice and a court marshal takes place. Sharpe is found guilty and sentenced to hang. Wellington, however, does not plan to lose Sharpe.
La Marquesa and her carriages are ambushed, the carriages taken and La Marquesa is put into a convent. Maj. Nairn takes Harper out of the camp and reunites him with Sharpe. Left with having to prove his honour, Sharpe and Harper are tasked with rescuing La Marquesa.

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gold

Spain, Summer 1813

After a battle, Sharpe discovers that a group of soldiers led by Sgt. Rodd are deserting. The provosts arrive too late to catch them, but arrest one of Sharpe's men for stealing a chicken.
A relative of Wellington's arrives in camp, Mrs Bess Nugent and her daughter, Ellie, trying to find Mr Nugent who has become lost in Spain while searching for a hoarde of Aztec gold that is supposed to be buried in the hills. Wellington refuses to mount a search and orders the women home.
Wellington is short of men, and agrees to exchange 52 British deserters, captured by the Spanish partisan El Casco, for Baker rifles. Sharpe is ordered to manage the exchange. On the journey, Sharpe and his men realise they are being followed. It is Bess and Ellie Nugent.
The exchange takes place. One of the deserters is smoking Nugent's pipe. Unable to persuade Sharpe to continue the search, Bess and Ellie go alone. Sharpe cannot stop them, so he sends the provosts back with the deserters and he and his men go after Bess and Ellie.
Bess and Ellie are ambushed by guerrillas, Bess is killed and Ellie is carried off into the mountains. Whilst in captivity, she sees her father who is also a prisoner, but he has lost his mind. Sharpe is left with no choice but to mount a rescue in the caves where Ellie and her father are held.

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battle

Pyrennees, September 1813

Lost in the Spanish hills, Sharpe's men come across the attacked remains of the English wagon train and then the sacked village of Casa Antiga. They find out that both were attacked by the Wolf Brigade, named after their commander, Brig. Gen. Guy Loup.
Meanwhile, Wellington has been given the Royal Irish Company, led by their colonel, Lord Kiely, the palace guard of King Ferdinand VII of Spain. They are raw troops and of little use, so Wellington posts them next to the French lines and tasks Sharpe with knocking them into shape. He believes they will desert, and the sooner the better.
Sharpe starts to teach them how to fight, and the desertion starts. Intent on retrieving some ammunition captured by Loup from the wagon train, Sharpe and Kiely go to the town where Loup is based. They are attacked and lose 17 men. They also find the bodies of their deserters that have been butchered by Loup.
Lord Kiely invites Sharpe to dinner. Also at the table are Kiely's wife and a Spanish partisan, Dona Juanita, who is Kiely's lover. After the dinner, Lady Kiely begs Sharpe to persuade her husband to end the affair.
Loup attacks at night and a fearsome battle ensues. The Irish Company succeed in fighting him off, and Sharpe wants to follow through with a counter-attack. Lady Kiely reveals to her husband that she is pregnant and he sends her home to safety. Instead, she is captured by Loup.
The attack on Loup's town takes place, but Sharpe finds them ready for him and that he has been betrayed.

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sword

Franco-Spanish Border, 1813

A carriage travelling through the countryside is ambushed by the French. Only a young nun escapes with her life. Later, the same French company is attacked by the British. The French colonel shoots his captain and disguises himself in the captain's coat, saying he was Capt. Dumas. Sharpe is suspicious, the man claims to trade in horses, but carries the best sword ever made - a Kliegenthal. He is also carrying papers covered in figures, which he says are bills, but could just as easily be codes. Col. Berkeley of the South Essex arrives and accepts Dumas' parole through an interpreter Capt. Lord Jack Spears.
The young nun gives herself up to Sharpe's protection. Unable to speak, she is given to Ramona to care for and given the name 'Lass'. Sharpe is told that a French colonel, Leroux, had been sent to capture a British agent, known only as El Mirador, whose identity is unknown. Sharpe is convinced that the captured captain is Col. Leroux, but he remains on parole instead of under guard. Sharpe is also convinced that the scraps of paper are a code and that the key lies somewhere in Voltaire's Candide, a copy of which was found when Dumas was captured.
At Villafranca, Sharpe is re-united with his old adversary Sir Henry Simmerson. When Simmerson states the nearby French fort is no threat, a cannon is fired and Dumas escapes, proving he is Leroux after all. In the town, Sharpe meets Fr. Curtis who runs the hospital. When the fort is stormed, Sharpe is mortally wounded, Lass and Ramona refuse to give up and nurse him towards recovery. Meanwhile, Harris works hard in the library cracking the Voltaire code and Harper forges a new sword for Sharpe.
When Sharpe recovers, there is a spy to be found and a French agent to dispatch.

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regiment

June 1813

The South Essex is a depleted Regiment, and Welington's chief of staff, Maj. Ross, receives a letter from the Secretary of State at War, Lord Fenner, informing him that the second battalion has been reduced to a holding battalion and the regiment will be disbanded. Sharpe and Harper are sent back to England to find replacements and save the regiment.
When they arrive at Horse Guards, Sharpe learns that there are 700 men at Chelmsford. When he gets there, he finds less than a dozen men, all either too young or too disabled. The Officer of the Day, Capt. Carline, tells him nothing, but a veteran of Talavera, Sgt. Ted Carew, is able to prove the battalion is still recruiting. Except the new recruits haven't been seen at Chelmsford.
Sharpe's investigation is cut short by a summons to attend the Prince Regent at court. There, Sharpe retells how he won the French eagle. At dinner in the evening, Sharpe has a chance to tell 'Prinny' of the missing battalion. When the Prince Regent demands an explanation, Lord Fenner stalls him, saying they only march 'on paper'. As Sharpe leaves, he is approached by Lady Anne Carmoynes, Fenner's mistress. Later in the evening, she tells him not to trust Fenner.
After visiting some of his old haunts, Harper finds Sharpe and warns him he is being followed. When set upon, Sharpe and Harper kill the culprits. Sharpe has it said that it is he and Harper who have been killed, then they go and enlist in the South Essex. They end up at a training camp run by Col. Girdwood. They discover that men are being auctioned to other regiments. He also meets Sir Henry Simmerson's Niece, Jane Gibbons, who confirms his suspicions.
Sharpe has to prove the conspiracy in order to get his second battalion back to Spain in readiness for the invasion of France.

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siege

Winter 1813

A pro-Bourbon Noble, the Compte de Maquerre is in Wellington's camp, arguing that Bordeaux is ripe for rebellion, but Maj. Gen. Ross is dubious. He suggests using the Compte's castle, 60 miles behind enemy lines, as a base. Maquerre is reluctant, saying his mother and sister had turned it over to Napoleon, so it must be captured.
Col. Horace Bampfylde is to lead the attack, with Sharpe in support. There is also sickness in the camp and Maj. Gen. Ross and Sharpe's new wife, Jane, succumb to it. The only cure is quinine which is in short supply.
When they reach the castle, Col. Bampylde wants the glory, he sends Sharpe, Capt. Frederickson and the Rifles scouting, so he can take the castle alone. He fails in his mission, but gains heavy casualties. Sharpe sees what is happening from afar. He infiltrates the camp and forces the French to surrender. Bampfylde returns to the castle and sends Sharpe and his men away. Maquerre returns with the mayor of Arcon (Maj. Ducos, in fact). They tell Bampfylde that the region has changed sides, Gen. Calvet is on his way and Sharpe is dead. Bampfylde is persuaded that he has accomplished his mission and returns to tell Wellington.
Sharpe and his men ambush a French convoy and capture a small supply of quinine. He also finds out that the region is far from ready to rise against Napoleon, and concludes that Maquerre is a double agent. When he returns to the castle, he finds it deserted except for the wounded and Maquerre's sister and sick mother. Gen. Calvet is heading towards the castle, and Sharpe and his men are desperately short of ammunition.......

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mission

France 1813

Col. Cresson and Gen. Calvet plan to capture Maj. Gen. Ross, Wellington's intelligence chief.
Gypsies are camping with the British, their women are causing a stir among the soldiers and Sharpe has settled into married life. Jane, however, is bored and looking to the future. She wonders how Sharpe will take to the social life back in England. Col. Brand also arrives in the camp, he operates behind enemy lines and plans to destroy Calvet's powder supply. Sharpe is to act as his back up. They also require the services of explosives expert, Maj. Septimus Pyecroft. A war correspondant and poet, called Shelligton, has also arrived and becomes enamoured with Jane.
When Ross and Sharpe meet Pyecroft, he has a gypsy girl with him who was the only survivor from an attack on her family. In the camp, she recognises her family's horses among those belonging to Maj. Brand's men. Another gypsy girl, sets herself at Harris, but when he goes to her tent in the evening, he discovers her and her family dead. When he reports the murder, he finds himself chief suspect and is confined to camp. Sharpe asks him to watch over Jane while he is away.
Shellington accompanies Sharpe, but tires of war and is escorted back to camp. The murderers are uncovered and rounded up, and Sharpe also discovers there is a French spy in the camp.....

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revenge

Toulouse - April 1814

In the French camp Ducos watches as Napoleon's fortune is loaded on a cart. If Toulouse falls, the treasure will be removed before the British, or the Bourbons, can steal it.
Sharpe writes a note giving Jane power of attorney over his money. She makes him promise this will be his last battle and that he will then return to England with her.
On the battlefield, Calvet realises he is losing, as the British gain ground, and Ducos is ordered away with Napoleon's treasure.
In the British camp, the officers celebrate their success with a dinner at which one of them, Col. Wigram insults Sharpe. A duel is arranged with Capt. Frederickson acting as Sharpe's second.
Ducos tests the loyalty of the men escorting the treasure by asking if they would consider stealing it. One officer, Maillot, declines and Ducos orders him back to his home in Normandy.
In the British camp, Jane's friend, Molly Spindacre, tells Jane that Sharpe has challenged her 'protector', Col. Wigram, to a duel and broken his word to Jane. After finding out that Jane has power over Sharpe's money, she persuades Jane to return to punish Sharpe. Once there, they obtain all the money and start spending it.
When it is discovered that Napoleon's treasure has been stolen, the French suspect Sharpe and he is arrested in his quarters. During his court martial, it is requested that Maillot give evidence, and he is sent for. Ducos finds this out and has to prevent Maillot from accusing him, so he arranges his murder and has Sharpe set up. Then he sets sail to safety in Naples.
In London, Jane is informed of Sharpe's arrest by Lord John Rossendale. She faints into his arms, and he falls for her 'charms'.
Sharpe escapes from custody and makes for Normandy to speak to Maillot. Harper is dispatched to London with a message for Jane. Before he can reach Normandy, Maillot is killed and Sharpe is the suspect. When he gets to Maillot's home, he is shot in the leg by Maillot's sister, Lucille. When Frederickson, who accompanied Sharpe, explains what has happened, Lucille helps to nurse Sharpe back to health.
In London, Jane has fallen for Rossendale and they are lovers. Harper sees them together, leaves Sharpe's message and returns to France.
Frederickson tries to track down Ducos and discovers Gen. Calvet doing the same thing. They believe he has gone to Naples, and, once they have collected Sharpe and Harper, they agree to join forces to recover the treasure.

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justice

England, Summer 1814

The war is over, Napoleon is in exile on Elba, and Sharpe returns to England. He accepts a posting to Scarsdale, Yorkshire, the town where he grew up, to head the private militia raised by Sir Willoughby Parfitt, a self-made man. He is to protect Parfitt's mills from a 'rebellious' population. At the centre of the trouble is a man called Matt Truman, who Sharpe grew up with.
In London, Jane is finding life as a mistress difficult. She is shunned by society., including Lady Anne Carmoynes (once a mistress herself).
In Yorkshire, Sharpe and Harper are met by the local yeomanry and their commander, Capt. Wickham. On their way to Parfitt's home, Sharpe and Harper realise they are being followed. Sharpe shoots one pursuer and corners the other whom he recognises as Matt Truman.
Parfitt blames Truman for the local unrest. At dinner, that evening, another mill owner, Sir Percy Stanwyck, is present. Stanwyck is soon to take delivery od a steam engine, something that will give Parfitt competition. Stanwyck has heard of Sharpe from his son, who died shortly after Talavera.
Also in Scarsdale is Dan Hagman, out of the army and looking for work. He joins Truman. Rossendale and Jane are also there to view a property that Rossendale has inherited.
Part of Sharpe's job is to break up illegal meetings. When they are informed of one, Sharpe tells Wickham to arrest Truman without loss of life. Wickham disobeys, Truman escapes, but there is a massacre. Sharpe and Harper are appalled, even Hagman turns away from them. Later Sharpe believes there is a plot to put Stanwyck out of business and he and Harper thwart it.
After an unpleasant meeting with Jane, Harper returns to Ireland and Sharpe

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waterloo

France 1815

When Napoleon escapes from Elba, Sharpe is settled in Normandy with Lucille, but a sense of duty recalls him to the army, and he is promoted to Lt. Col. in the 5th (Belgian) Light Dragoons, under the command of William, Prince of Orange.
Wellington is based in Brussels, and it is to there that Sharpe and Lucille head. Also in Brussels is Lord John Rossendale and Jane Sharpe.
Whilst out on reconnaisance, Sharpe sees a mass of French soldiers. He and Orange's chief of staff, Rebecque, try to work out if it is a feint prior to Napoleon attacking Mons. Sharpe believes the force is heading to Quatre Bras, to split the Allied and Prussian forces.
With French forces gathering, Sharpe decides he must speak to Wellington and interrupts him at the Duchess of Richmond's ball. After delivering his message, Sharpe and Harper head to the front.
After the battle at Quatre Bras, Sharpe and Harper are given their post for the following day, the farm at La Haie Sainte. Woefully undefended, the men there repulse attacks from the French in bloody combat.
The Prince of Orange has made mistakes, both at Quatre Bras and Waterloo, ending in the senseless loss of life of good soldiers. Eventually, Sharpe has had enough of this and tells Orange so!
Having removed himself, Sharpe requests leave to join his old regiment, the South Essex. Wellington agrees and Sharpe takes them into a final attack on Napoleon's Old Guard.

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Last update October 12th 2002